Keep Our Sewers Fat-Free

Did you know that fats, oils and grease, sometimes referred to as FOG, are bad not only for your arteries and waistline but for your sewers, too? Just as fats, oils and grease can lead to clogged human arteries, putting fats, oils and grease down your home drain can lead to clogged sewer pipes. These blockages in the sewer pipe may cause sewage to backup into your home, resulting in an expensive and unpleasant cleanup that most often must be paid by you, the homeowner. Blockages may also trigger an overflow or backup of sewage into streets, yards, parks or waterways, creating a public health risk and threat to the environment.

Fats, Oils and Grease

They are byproducts of cooking. For example, meat fats, lard, oil, shortening, butter and margarine, fatty/greasy food scraps, baking goods, sauces, salad dressing, and dairy products are all sources of fats, oils and grease. When washed down the kitchen sink, liquefied fat and grease will solidify and clog pipes, while liquid oils coat the pipes contributing to the blockages.

Here is How You Can Help

Do not dispose of any cooking oils or grease down the drain. Prevent sewer backups and overflows by following the guidelines below:

Do not pour fats, oils or grease down sink drains or into toilets.

Pour all cooled cooking fats, oils and grease that will harden (e.g., bacon grease or meat drippings) into an old milk carton, can or container with a lid and dispose of it in the garbage.

Mix small volumes of liquid grease with an absorbent material such as cat litter, plase in a lidded container, and dispose of it in the garbage.

Scrape greasy food scraps from trays, plates, pots and pans into the garbage, not into the garbage disposal.

Put baskets/strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps.

Do not use warm water and soap to wash grease down the drain.

Speak with your friends and neighbors about the problem of fats, oils and grease in the sewer system and about how to keep it out.

For More Information

Contact the City of Livermore’s Water Resources Division at 960-8100, or email us.